Garment with removable pocket

ABSTRACT

A garment in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a removable and replaceable pocket with a unique design that can be removed and replaced with a pocket of a different design.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/096,451 filed Sep. 12, 2008entitled GARMENT WITH REMOVABLE AND REPLACEABLE POCKET, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present invention relates to a garment with a removable andreplaceable pocket.

2. Related Art

Clothing has increasingly become an important avenue of self expressionand individuality. However, most people have a limited budget and thus alimited amount of clothing.

Thus, it would be advantageous to provide clothing that allows for anindividual to express various looks from a single piece of clothing.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a garment with aremovable and replaceable pocket.

A garment in accordance with an embodiment of the present applicationincludes an attachment device operable to selectively attach a pocket tothe garment.

A pocket in accordance with an embodiment of the present applicationincludes an attachment device operable to releasably attach the pocketto a garment.

A garment in combination with a pocket in accordance with an embodimentof the present application includes a garment including a firstattachment device; and a pocket including a second attachment devicepositioned on an inner surface of the pocket, wherein the firstattachment device is operable to releasably receive the secondattachment device to connect the pocket to the garment.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description which refers to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a garment with a removable and replaceable pocketin accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate a garment with a removable and replaceable pocketin accordance with another embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1A, a garment 10 is illustrated with a removable pocket 12attached thereto. The pocket 12 is removable from the garment 10 bysimply pulling it away from the garment, as is illustrated in FIG. 1B,for example. As can be seen in FIG. 1C, the garment 10 and the pocket 12include an attachment device 16 that is used to attach the pocket to thegarment when desired. FIG. 1D illustrates the garment 10 with the pocket12 removed.

In a preferred embodiment, the attachment device 16 is a hook and loopfastener. Several strips 16 a of loop fasteners are secured to an innerface of the pocket 12 around the periphery thereof, as can be seen inFIG. 10, for example. The strips 16 a are preferably sewn into thepocket and spaced approximately 1/16 of an inch inward form the outeredge of the pocket 12. However, the strips 16 a may be attached to thepocket in any desired manner. The width of each strip 16 a is preferablyapproximately 9% of the width of the pocket 12 at its midpoint. Thispositioning and sizing allows for the strips 16 a to be largelyconcealed when the pocket 12 is attached to the garment. While thesedimensions are preferred, the strips 16 a may be wider or narrower andspaced further or closer to the periphery of the pocked, if desired. Itis noted that the strips 16 a are preferable attached along all edges ofthe pocket 12 except for the top edge so that the user can place thingsin the pocket without detaching it from the garment 10. An additionalfastener 18 may be provided in the middle of the top edge of the pocket12 to allow the pocked to be closed as well. This fastener 18 is alsopreferably a hook and loop fastener.

The garment 10 preferably includes strips 16 b of hooks which arepreferably sewn into the garment in a pattern mirroring that of thestrips 16 a sewn to the inner surface of the pocket 12. The strips 16 bare of a similar size to the strips 16 a. When the pocket 12 is broughtinto contact with the garment 10, the loops of the strips 16 a interactwith the hooks of the strips 16 b to hold the pocket on the garment. Ifdesired, the strips 16 a with the loops may be attached to the garment10 and the hooks of the strips 16 b can be attached to the inner surfaceof the pocket 12. The additional fastener 18 similarly includes loops onthe portion positioned on the inner surface of the pocket 12 and hookson the portion attached to the garment 10, however, these positions mayalso be reversed if desired. In a preferred embodiment, the pocket 12also includes a design 19 formed on the pocket. The design 19 ispreferably embroidered on the pocket 12, but may be formed in any otherdesired manner, for example, by silk screening. It is contemplated thata user may have several different pockets 12 that can be attached to thesame garment 10. Each pocket 12 preferably has a different design. As aresult, users can alter the look of the garment 10 by simply removingthe pocket 12 and replacing it with another pocket with a differentdesign. In a preferred embodiment, the inner surface of the pocket 12also includes an indicia of some sort which indicates a size of thepocket 12. For example, in FIGS. 1B-1D, the letter B is formed on theinner side of the pocket. The garment 10 may also include indiciaindicating a size of pocket suitable for attachment thereto, as can alsobe seen in FIGS. 1B-1D, for example.

In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2F, the pocket 112may include a pull tab 105 preferably connected along the top edge ofthe pocket. The pull tab 105 provides a convenient way for the user toremove the pocket 120 from the garment 110. As is illustrated in FIGS.2B-2C, the user grips the pull tag 105 and pulls it to separate thepocket 112 from the garment 110. As can be seen in FIG. 2D, the pocket112 includes strips 116 a of loop fasteners which are preferably sewn orotherwise attached to the pocket in a manner similar to that describedabove with respect to the strips 16 a. In addition, an additionalattachment mechanism 118 is provided at a top corner of the pocket,preferably opposite the pull tab 105 to provide additional attachmentsupport for the pocket 12. The additional attachment mechanism ispreferably also a hook and loop fastener.

The garment 110 includes corresponding strips 116 b of hooks arranged ina pattern to mirror the strips 116 a. The hooks interact with the loopsto hold the pocket 112 on the garment 110. The pocket 112 preferablyalso includes a design 119 as well. The tab 105 makes it easier for theuser to remove and replace the pocket 112 when desired.

In a preferred embodiment, the garment 10, 110 is a pair of jeans,however, the present application is not limited to this specificembodiment and other articles of clothing may be used. In addition, thepocket 12, 112 is preferably a back pocket, however, the pocket need notbe a back pocket.

The pockets 12, 112 are preferably sold separately and can be used withany compatible garment. Thus, a user can by a single pair of jeans, forexample, and attach a different pocket every day, if desired, to providemultiple looks. Further, the pocket 12, 112 may be sold as part of a kitthat also includes a shirt, or other article of clothing that includes adesign 19, 119, for example, that matches that on the particular pocket.In this manner, users will be able to quickly and easily coordinateoutfits as well.

In a preferred embodiment, the garment 10 and/or the pocket 12 are soldwith instructions that suggest washing the garment with the pocketattached in order to keep the pocket from becoming attached to otherclothing in the wash. The versatility of the garment of the presentapplication allows users to save money while still remaining fashionableand being able to creatively express themselves. In addition, theability to remove and replace pockets allows user to try newcombinations and experiment with new looks. While the garment 10 hasbeen illustrated with a single replaceable and removable pocket, thegarment may include additional removable and replaceable pockets, ifdesired. In addition, users may trade pockets with friends to allow foreven more flexibility. Further, since the pocket sizes are preferablystandardized, all pockets of the same size will work on all garmentsthat indicate compatibility with that size, which also increasesversatility as well.

Although the present invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

1. A garment comprising: an attachment device operable to selectivelyattach a pocket to the garment.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein theattachment device further comprises at least one strip of hook fastenersconnected to the garment at a desired location and operable toreleasably receive a pocket.
 3. The garment of claim 2, wherein theattachment device includes a plurality of strips of hook fasteners, thestrips of hook fasteners positioned on the garment such that theyapproximate the shape of a pocket.
 4. The garment of claim 1, whereinthe attachment device further comprises at least one strip of loopfasteners connected to the garment at a desired location and operable toreleasably receive a pocket.
 5. The garment of claim 4, wherein theattachment device further comprises a plurality of strips of loopfasteners, the strips of loop fasteners positioned on the garment suchthat they approximate the shape of a pocket.
 6. A pocket comprising anattachment device operable to releasably attach the pocket to a garment.7. The pocket of claim 6, further comprising an aesthetically uniquedesign formed on a front surface thereof.
 8. The pocket of claim 7,wherein the attachment device further comprises at least one strip ofloop fasteners positioned on a rear surface of the pocket at a desiredlocation and operable to releasably attach to the garment.
 9. The pocketof claim 8, wherein the attachment device further comprises a pluralityof strips of loop fasteners positioned on the rear surface of the pocketadjacent the bottom and side periphery of the pocket.
 10. The pocket ofclaim 7, wherein the attachment device further comprises at least onestrip of hook fasteners positioned on a rear surface of the pocket at adesired location and operable to releasably attach to the garment. 11.The pocket of claim 10, wherein the attachment device further comprisesa plurality of strips of hook fasteners positioned on the rear surfaceof the pocket adjacent the bottom and side periphery of the pocket. 12.A garment in combination with a pocket comprising: a garment including afirst attachment device; and a pocket including a second attachmentdevice positioned on an inner surface of the pocket, wherein the firstattachment device is operable to releasably receive the secondattachment device to connect the pocket to the garment.
 13. The garmentof claim 13, wherein the first attachment device further comprises atleast one strip of hook fasteners.
 14. The garment of claim 13, whereinthe second attachment device further comprises at least one strip ofloop fasteners.
 15. The garment of claim 14 wherein the first attachmentdevice further comprises a plurality of strips of hook fasteners, theplurality of hook fasteners positioned on the garment to correspond toan outline of the pocket.
 16. The garment of claim 15, wherein thesecond attachment device further comprises a plurality of strips of hookfasteners positioned on the rear surface of the pocket adjacent thebottom and side periphery of the pocket such that they align with theplurality of strips of hook fasteners on the garment.
 17. The garment ofclaim 13, wherein the first attachment device further comprises at leastone strip of loop fasteners.
 18. The garment of claim 17, wherein thesecond attachment device further comprises at least one strip of hookfasteners.
 19. The garment of claim 18, wherein the first attachmentdevice further comprises a plurality of strips of loop fasteners, theplurality of loop fasteners positioned on the garment to correspond toan outline of the pocket.
 20. The garment of claim 19, wherein thesecond attachment device further comprises a plurality of strips of hookfasteners positioned on the rear surface of the pocket adjacent thebottom and side periphery of the pocket such that they align with theplurality of strips of loop fasteners on the garment.